Religious Liberty

Michigan settlement affirms religious liberty for adoption agencies; China demands U.S. halt Olympics 'interference.'

(RNS) — Despite a court ruling by Russian judges in October that seemed to endorse leniency for Jehovah’s Witnesses arrested after their faith was labeled “extremist,” a recent rash of sentences against members of the faith group has prompted concern among human rights advocates that the government is continuing its earlier crackdown against the denomination.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday (Jan. 14) it will hear the case of a former Seattle-area football coach who was removed from his job because he refused to stop praying on the field.

OTTOWA, Canada (BP) – A Canadian law banning any form of conversion therapy, broadly defined as treatment or counseling aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is set to take effect Jan. 7 (Friday).

WASHINGTON (BP) – The next step in the debate surrounding Pres. Biden’s mandate requiring employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine took place Friday (Jan. 7). Oral arguments on the constitutionality and a request for delaying the mandate were presented before the U.S. Supreme Court. Biden’s order, set to go into effect Jan. 10, would affect businesses with 100 or more employees.

WASHINGTON (BP) – A Maine tuition-assistance program that excludes faith-based schools discriminates based on religion, a seemingly receptive U.S. Supreme Court was told Wednesday (Dec. 8).

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state panel agreed Monday (Dec. 6) to spend nearly $2 million to settle two federal lawsuits brought against the University of Iowa in 2017 after a religious group denied a gay student a leadership role.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (BP) – Barronelle Stutzman’s defense of her religious liberty is over. The florist and owner of Arlene’s Flowers reached a settlement with the men who sued her because she would not design floral arrangements for their wedding in 2013.

ALLEN, Texas (BP) – An amendment to the Texas constitution prohibiting the state government from imposing limits on religious worship services passed with 62 percent of the vote Tuesday (Nov. 2).

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Sincerely held religious beliefs can be used to shield certain for-profit businesses from federal sex discrimination liability established in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a Texas district court judge ruled Sunday (Oct. 31).